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Creu-ad can be contacted through:Shelagh Hourahane, A Sense of Arrival:
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A Sense of Arrival at NewboroughThe dunes at Newborough form a huge warren where rabbits have bred for centuries.It is a rich habitat for flowering plants and birds and has traditionally been grazed by ponies. The marram grass that grows there was also used by villagers for plaiting into covers for hay ricks, ropes and baskets. The Wâl Lechi was carved by Valerie Coffin Price on an existing slate fence. She worked with pupils from Ysgol Niwbwrch to create some initial ideas for the images and then developed the designs. It shows the richness of nature in the reserve by representing birds, plants and animals to be found there at different times of the years. The project also relates to the historic marram weaving or plaiting industry at Newborough. A few women in the village still remember learning the skill while at school. Two local primary schools took part and Vania Nicholas, a metalworker and Dee Walker, a local basket maker, spent five weeks with the 92 children helping them to learn about the local tradition through exploring the skills of weaving and plaiting in a variety of materials. Ann Catrin Evans, a local blacksmith and metalworker designed the Marram Sculpture. It resembles the 'gafrod' or stacks of marram grass that were made to dry the material before starting to work it. The sculpture includes images and text that refer to the traditional links between the nature reserve and the community and to the artwork produced by the children. |
Ponies grazing on the dunes at Newborough
Detail of fungi and buzzard carved on the 'Wâl Lechi' by Valerie Coffin Price
'Marram Sculpture' by Ann Catrin Evans'
Vania Nicholas showing plaiting techniques to pupils at Ysgol Cumuned Dwyran |
